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Park board recommends striking seasonal-rental clause from fee ordinance
Summary
The Pacific Park Board voted March 10 to recommend removing a seasonal rental provision from Chapter 230.03 of the city's park regulations, after staff said the language prevented seasonal allocations when fields were booked intermittently. The change must be approved by the Board of Aldermen through two readings.
The Pacific Park Board voted March 10 to recommend removing a seasonal-rental provision in Chapter 230.03 of the city’s park regulations that staff said blocks seasonal reservations when fields are booked for single events.
Park Superintendent Chris Fowler told the board the seasonal-rental language has prevented staff from issuing what staff would consider a single-season reservation for organizations that rent fields intermittently during a season. Fowler said that practice has caused confusion among groups that expected a lower seasonal rate but were blocked because fields were booked for individual dates between the season's start and end.
The board moved to strike “section 230.03, subsection A number 4” in its entirety and approved the recommendation to forward the change to the Board of Aldermen. The board chair noted the item is an ordinance and, if the aldermen approve, would require two readings before going into effect. Members indicated the earliest full effect would be after the second April meeting if the aldermen move quickly.
Why it matters: seasonal rental language affects how the parks office invoices and contracts with recurring users such as leagues and community organizations. Fowler said the change would allow staff to offer a single-season reservation or to negotiate separate contracts where appropriate, rather than forcing higher per-event rates when intermittent bookings occur.
Next steps: The Park Board’s recommendation will be sent to the Board of Aldermen for consideration and drafting of the required ordinance amendment. The board did not record roll-call vote tallies by name during the meeting; the motion to recommend striking the provision passed by voice vote.
Ending: Board members and staff said the change is intended to reduce administrative conflicts and allow the parks office greater flexibility in contracting with recurring park users.
